Closed
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative
Supports capacity and improvements for Nova Scotia beef processors
Last Update: March 4, 2026
Funding available
$ 15,000
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative offers up to $15,000 in non-repayable funding for abattoirs and $5,000 for meat processors to enhance the capacity of provincially licensed facilities serving the beef industry. Eligible projects include purchasing processing equipment, improving food safety measures, upgrading animal welfare practices, and developing infrastructure for beef processing operations.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Optimize production processes
- Obtain certifications or accreditations
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 15,000 $
- Up to 60% of project cost
Timeline
- Receipt of requests is now closed
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Financial cooperative
- For-profit business
- Sole proprietorship
- Non-financial cooperative
Annual revenue
- $ 30,000 minimum revenue
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Rural or Northern Residents
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Upgrading and expanding beef abattoirs and processing facilities to increase operational capacity.
- Implementing equipment and infrastructure improvements for beef processing operations.
- Developing and enhancing food safety and animal welfare processes specific to beef production.
- Creating or updating product labeling and conducting nutritional assessments for new beef products.
- Planning and improving waste water handling and management systems for beef processing operations.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Provincially licensed beef abattoirs in Nova Scotia
- Beef processors in Nova Scotia with a valid license
- Operators of federally registered meat establishments working with beef and sourcing from Atlantic Beef Products Inc.
Who is not eligible
- Companies and processors not involved in beef processing or slaughtering.
- Businesses that are not provincially licensed abattoirs or do not hold a valid Meat Plant or Meat Processing Plant Licence from the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture or Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Climate Change.
- Operators processing only other meats (e.g., poultry, pork) without beef.
- Applicants whose Meat Plant or Processing Plant Licence is revoked or suspended.
- Companies that cannot provide proof of inclusion of federally inspected beef from Atlantic Beef Products Inc. if operating a federally registered establishment.
Eligible expenses
- Purchase and installation of equipment such as rails, rollers, hooks, waterproof wall and ceiling boards, floor finishes, temperature monitoring devices, rail scales, handwash sinks, three compartment sinks, steel tables, steel counters, tabletops, cutting tops, and generators.
- Equipment for lairage areas including gates, waterlines, and water bowls.
- Red meat kill floor equipment such as split saws, kill box, stunning equipment (captive bolt), rollers, hooks, gambrels, spreader bars, reciprocating saws, and sterilizers.
- Cooler and freezer equipment, including refrigeration units, air chilling racks, ice machines, meat tubs, meat tub racks, walk-in freezers, doors for coolers and freezers, and heat pumps for processing floors.
- Processing equipment such as bandsaws, scales with label printers, patty makers, proportioners, grinders, vacuum sealers, smokers, injection equipment, deli slicers.
- Restraining equipment for ritual slaughter.
- Development of food safety plans for beef slaughter or processing lines.
- Beef animal welfare and humane slaughter consultations.
- Label design creation for beef products.
- Nutritional review for new processed products.
- Waste water handling planning and installation for beef slaughter or processing lines.
- Fencing and signage for specified risk material disposal sites.
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
Additional information
- Applicants must disclose all sources of funding for the project, as no more than 80% of non-repayable funding can be received for any eligible project cost regardless of source.
- All applications must be complete and submitted before the intake period closes; incomplete or late applications will not be assessed.
- Applicants consent to make their name and the amount of support received under the program public information.
- No payment will be made for claims under $20.00.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative Program
Here are answers to the most common questions about the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.
What is the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative?
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative offers up to $15,000 in non-repayable funding for abattoirs and $5,000 for meat processors to enhance the capacity of provincially licensed facilities serving the beef industry. Eligible projects include purchasing processing equipment, improving food safety measures, upgrading animal welfare practices, and developing infrastructure for beef processing operations.
How much funding can be received?
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative Funds up to 60% of admissible expenses, capped at $15,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program?
To be eligible for the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program, you must:
Must be a provincially licensed abattoir or beef processor in Nova Scotia
Must generate at least $30,000 in annual gross business income
Must actively process or slaughter beef and hold a valid, unsuspended Meat Plant or Processing Plant Licence
What expenses are eligible under The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative?
Upgrading and expanding beef abattoirs and processing facilities to increase operational capacity.
Implementing equipment and infrastructure improvements for beef processing operations.
Developing and enhancing food safety and animal welfare processes specific to beef production.
Creating or updating product labeling and conducting nutritional assessments for new beef products.
Planning and improving waste water handling and management systems for beef processing operations.
Who can I contact for more information about the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative?
You can contact Perennia Food and Agriculture Corporation by email at programs@perennia.ca or by phone at 902-670-9572.
Where is the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative available?
The The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative program is available the province of Nova Scotia.
Is the The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative a grant, loan, or tax credit?
The Nova Scotia Beef Initiative is a Grant and Funding